Nonstop flight route between Plymouth, United Kingdom and Nukuʻalofa, Tongatapu, Tonga:
Departure Airport:
(50°25'22"N by 4°6'20"W)
Arrival Airport:
(21°14'27"S by 175°8'57"W)
Distance from PLH to TBU:
10,362.51 miles (16,676.80 km)
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- About this route
- PLH Airport Information
- TBU Airport Information
- Facts about PLH
- Facts about TBU
- Map of Nearest Airports to PLH
- List of Nearest Airports to PLH
- Map of Furthest Airports from PLH
- List of Furthest Airports from PLH
- Map of Nearest Airports to TBU
- List of Nearest Airports to TBU
- Map of Furthest Airports from TBU
- List of Furthest Airports from TBU
About this route:
A direct, nonstop flight between Plymouth City Airport (PLH), Plymouth, United Kingdom and Fuaʻamotu International Airport (TBU), Nukuʻalofa, Tongatapu, Tonga would travel a Great Circle distance of 10,363 miles (or 16,677 kilometers).
A Great Circle is the shortest distance between 2 points on a sphere. Because most world maps are flat (but the Earth is round), the route of the shortest distance between 2 points on the Earth will often appear curved when viewed on a flat map, especially for long distances. If you were to simply draw a straight line on a flat map and measure a very long distance, it would likely be much further than if you were to lay a string between those two points on a globe. Because of the large distance between Plymouth City Airport and Fuaʻamotu International Airport, the route shown on this map most likely appears curved because of this reason.
Try it at home! Get a globe and tightly lay a string between Plymouth City Airport and Fuaʻamotu International Airport. You'll see that it will travel the same route of the red line on this map!
Departure Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | PLH / EGHD |
| Airport Name: | Plymouth City Airport |
| Location: | Plymouth, United Kingdom |
| GPS Coordinates: | 50°25'22"N by 4°6'20"W |
| Area Served: | Plymouth |
| Operator/Owner: | Plymouth City Council |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 476 feet (145 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 1 |
| View all routes: | Routes from PLH |
| More Information: | PLH Maps & Info |
Arrival Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | TBU / NFTF |
| Airport Name: | Fuaʻamotu International Airport |
| Location: | Nukuʻalofa, Tongatapu, Tonga |
| GPS Coordinates: | 21°14'27"S by 175°8'57"W |
| Area Served: | Nukuʻalofa, Tonga |
| Operator/Owner: | Ministry of Civil Aviation |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 126 feet (38 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 2 |
| View all routes: | Routes from TBU |
| More Information: | TBU Maps & Info |
Facts about Plymouth City Airport (PLH):
- Plymouth City Airport had a CAA Public Use Aerodrome Licence that allowed flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction.
- The furthest airport from Plymouth City Airport (PLH) is Dunedin International Airport (DUD), which is nearly antipodal to Plymouth City Airport (meaning Plymouth City Airport is almost on the exact opposite side of the Earth from Dunedin International Airport), and is located 12,030 miles (19,361 kilometers) away in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand.
- The closest airport to Plymouth City Airport (PLH) is Exeter International Airport (EXT), which is located 37 miles (60 kilometers) NE of PLH.
- Plymouth City Airport handled 157,933 passengers last year.
- Because of Plymouth City Airport's relatively low elevation of 476 feet, planes can take off or land at Plymouth City Airport at a lower air speed than at airports located at a higher elevation. This is because the air density is higher closer to sea level than it would otherwise be at higher elevations.
- The airport closed and ceased all operations on 23 December 2011.
- Concern has been expressed about operation of the Devon Air Ambulance with the closure of the airport - for example no night flights are allowed at nearby Derriford Hospital.
- Plymouth City Airport (PLH) currently has only 1 runway.
- An RAF Chinook was forced to make an emergency landing at Plymouth Airport on 25 Nov 2011.
- Further support for the continued use of the airport came in February 2008 when Air Southwest and the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce & Industry announced the results of an air travel survey aimed at over 200 businesses in Plymouth.
Facts about Fuaʻamotu International Airport (TBU):
- Because of Fuaʻamotu International Airport's relatively low elevation of 126 feet, planes can take off or land at Fuaʻamotu International Airport at a lower air speed than at airports located at a higher elevation. This is because the air density is higher closer to sea level than it would otherwise be at higher elevations.
- The closest airport to Fuaʻamotu International Airport (TBU) is Lifuka Island Airport (HPA), which is located 114 miles (183 kilometers) NNE of TBU.
- Fuaʻamotu International Airport (TBU) has 2 runways.
- Peau Vavaʻu operate a Convair 580 subleased from Reef Air leased from New Zealand's Air Chathams to Haʻapai and Vavaʻu, and a Twin Otter to Niuafoʻou and Niuatoputapu.
- Fuaʻamotu International Airport is equipped with VOR/DME and NDB navigational facilities.
- The furthest airport from Fuaʻamotu International Airport (TBU) is Aguenar – Hadj Bey Akhamok Airport (TMR), which is nearly antipodal to Fuaʻamotu International Airport (meaning Fuaʻamotu International Airport is almost on the exact opposite side of the Earth from Aguenar – Hadj Bey Akhamok Airport), and is located 12,322 miles (19,830 kilometers) away in Tamanrasset, Algeria.
- Fuaʻamotu was originally built in 1942 by a civilian contractor for the US Army.
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 37.22 miles (59.90 km) NE | Exeter International Airport (EXT) | Exeter, United Kingdom |     |
| 2 | 39.17 miles (63.03 km) W | Newquay Cornwall Airport (NQY) | Newquay, England, United Kingdom | |
| 3 | 72.56 miles (116.78 km) WSW | Land's End Airport (LEQ) | Land's End, Cornwall, England, United Kingdom | |
| 4 | 73.86 miles (118.86 km) NNE | MoD St Athan (DGX) | St Athan, Wales, United Kingdom | |
| 5 | 75.04 miles (120.77 km) NNE | Cardiff Airport (CWL) | Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom | |
| 6 | 81.72 miles (131.51 km) N | Swansea Airport (SWS) | Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom | |
| 7 | 89.72 miles (144.39 km) NE | Bristol Airport (BRS) | Bristol, England, United Kingdom | |
| 8 | 95.57 miles (153.81 km) SE | Guernsey Airport (GCI) | Guernsey, Channel Islands, United Kingdom | |
| 9 | 97.39 miles (156.73 km) ESE | Alderney Airport (ACI) | Alderney, Channel Islands, United Kingdom | |
| 10 | 100.35 miles (161.49 km) NE | Bristol Filton Airport (FZO) | Filton, Bristol, United Kingdom | |
| 11 | 102.27 miles (164.60 km) ENE | Bournemouth Airport (BOH) | Bournemouth, England, United Kingdom | |
| 12 | 102.94 miles (165.66 km) WSW | St Mary's Airport (ISC) | St Mary's, Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom | |
| 13 | 103.83 miles (167.10 km) WSW | Tresco Heliport (TSO) | Tresco, Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom | |
| 14 | 104.26 miles (167.79 km) NNW | Haverfordwest Aerodrome (HAW) | Haverfordwest, Wales, United Kingdom | |
| 15 | 118.50 miles (190.71 km) NE | RAF Lyneham (LYE) | Wiltshire, England, United Kingdom | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 12,030.45 miles (19,361.09 km) SE | Dunedin International Airport (DUD) | Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand | |
| 2 | 12,006.20 miles (19,322.05 km) ESE | Ryan's Creek Aerodrome (SZS) | Stewart Island, New Zealand | |
| 3 | 11,998.81 miles (19,310.16 km) SSE | Oamaru Airport (OAM) | Oamaru, North Otago, New Zealand | |
| 4 | 11,992.59 miles (19,300.16 km) SE | Invercargill Airport (IVC) | Invercargill, New Zealand | |
| 5 | 11,966.88 miles (19,258.78 km) SE | Alexandra Aerodrome (ALR) | Alexandra, New Zealand | |
| 6 | 11,961.06 miles (19,249.41 km) SSE | Richard Pearse Airport (Timaru Airport) (TIU) | Timaru, New Zealand | |
| 7 | 11,947.14 miles (19,227.00 km) SSE | Ashburton Aerodrome (ASG) | Ashburton, New Zealand | |
| 8 | 11,937.36 miles (19,211.27 km) SE | Queenstown Airport (ZQN) | Queenstown, New Zealand | |
| 9 | 11,936.06 miles (19,209.18 km) SE | Wanaka Airport (WKA) | Wanaka, New Zealand | |
| 10 | 11,932.33 miles (19,203.18 km) SSE | Christchurch International Airport (CHC) | Christchurch, New Zealand | |
| 11 | 11,911.75 miles (19,170.06 km) SSE | Glentanner Aerodrome (GTN) | Mount Cook, New Zealand | |
| 12 | 11,903.46 miles (19,156.71 km) SSE | Mount Cook Airport (MON) | Mount Cook, New Zealand | |
| 13 | 11,893.35 miles (19,140.45 km) SE | Milford Sound Airport (MFN) | Milford Sound, New Zealand | |
| 14 | 11,882.15 miles (19,122.42 km) SSE | Fox Glacier Aerodrome (FGL) | Fox Glacier, New Zealand | |
| 15 | 11,873.60 miles (19,108.66 km) SSE | Kaikoura Aerodrome (KBZ) | Kaikoura, New Zealand | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 113.90 miles (183.31 km) NNE | Lifuka Island Airport (HPA) | Lifuka, Ha'apai, Tonga | |
| 2 | 364.62 miles (586.80 km) NW | Cicia Airport (ICI) | Cicia, Fiji | |
| 3 | 367.99 miles (592.23 km) WNW | Moala Airport (MFJ) | Moala, Moala Islands, Fiji | |
| 4 | 370.23 miles (595.82 km) ENE | Niue International Airport (IUE) | Alofi, Niue | |
| 5 | 393.03 miles (632.51 km) N | Mata'aho Airport (NFO) | Niuafo'ou, Tonga | |
| 6 | 444.62 miles (715.54 km) NW | Koro Airport (KXF) | Koro Island, Fiji | |
| 7 | 459.57 miles (739.60 km) WNW | Vunisea Airport (KDV) | Vunisea, Kadavu Island, Fiji | |
| 8 | 465.13 miles (748.55 km) WNW | Suva International Airport (SUV) | Suva / Nausori, Viti Levu, Fiji | |
| 9 | 465.70 miles (749.47 km) WNW | Levuka Airfield (LEV) | Bureta, Ovalau Island, Fiji | |
| 10 | 488.42 miles (786.03 km) NW | Labasa Airport (LBS) | Labasa, Fiji | |
| 11 | 515.76 miles (830.04 km) NNW | Aéroport de Futuna - Pointe-Vele Pointe Vele Airport (FUT) | Futuna Island, Wallis and Futuna Islands | |
| 12 | 539.09 miles (867.58 km) WNW | Nadi International Airport (NAN) | Nadi, Fiji | |
| 13 | 551.98 miles (888.32 km) NNE | Maota (Salelologa) Airport (MXS) | Maota, Samoa | |
| 14 | 552.24 miles (888.74 km) NNE | Faleolo International Airport (APW) | Apia, Upolu Island, Samoa | |
| 15 | 555.29 miles (893.65 km) N | Wallis Island (WLS) | Wallis and Futuna Islands | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 12,321.72 miles (19,829.83 km) NNW | Aguenar – Hadj Bey Akhamok Airport (TMR) | Tamanrasset, Algeria | |
| 2 | 12,306.90 miles (19,805.99 km) NNW | In Guezzam Airport (INF) | In Guezzam, Algeria | |
| 3 | 12,201.76 miles (19,636.78 km) NW | Arlit Airport (RLT) | Arlit, Niger | |
| 4 | 12,184.07 miles (19,608.31 km) E | Bordj Mokhtar Airport (BMW) | Bordj Badji Mokhtar, Algeria | |
| 5 | 12,076.93 miles (19,435.89 km) NW | Mano Dayak International Airport (AJY) | Agadez, Niger | |
| 6 | 12,075.73 miles (19,433.96 km) NW | Djanet Tiska Airport (DJG) | Djanet, Algeria | |
| 7 | 12,005.93 miles (19,321.62 km) NW | Ghat Airport (GHT) | Ghat, Libya | |
| 8 | 11,996.67 miles (19,306.72 km) N | Tahoua Airport (THZ) | Tahoua, Niger | |
| 9 | 11,996.25 miles (19,306.04 km) NNE | In Salah Airport (INZ) | In Salah, Algeria | |
| 10 | 11,968.40 miles (19,261.22 km) NE | Gao International Airport (GAQ) | Gao, Mali | |
| 11 | 11,890.59 miles (19,136.01 km) NE | Tambao Airport (TMQ) | Tambao, Burkina Faso | |
| 12 | 11,882.02 miles (19,122.21 km) NE | Touat-Cheikh Sidi Mohamed Belkebir Airport (AZR) | Adrar, Algeria | |
| 13 | 11,881.53 miles (19,121.43 km) NNW | Maradi Airport (MFQ) | Maradi, Niger | |
| 14 | 11,878.41 miles (19,116.40 km) NNW | In Amenas Airport (IAM) | In Amenas, Algeria | |
| 15 | 11,872.34 miles (19,106.64 km) NNE | Diori Hamani International Airport (NIM) | Niamey, Niger | |